His eyes met her beautiful eyes, and for a while they gazed upon
each other like folk who dream.
"What trick is this?" he said angrily at last. "Before me stands the
Star of Amen, Egypt's anointed Queen. The harp she bears was the royal
gift of the Prince of Kesh, he who fell that night beneath my sword. The
voice is Egypt's voice, the song is Egypt's song. Nay, how can it be?
I am mad, you are magicians come to mock me, for that Star, Amen's
daughter, reigns a thousand miles away with the lord she chose, Abi, her
own uncle, he who, they say, murdered Pharaoh. Get you gone, Sorceress,
lest I cause the priests of Amen, whereof you also make a mock, to cast
you to the flames for blasphemy."
Slowly, very slowly, Tua opened the wrappings about her throat,
revealing the Sign of Life that from her birth was stamped above her
bosom.
"When they see this holy mark, think you that the priests of Amen will
cast me to the flames, O Royal Son of Mermes?" asked Tua softly.
"Why not?" he answered.
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